Lena is looking forward to her "cure" so that she never again has to worry about the dreaded disease, "amor deliria nervosa", or love. Not only does iLena is looking forward to her "cure" so that she never again has to worry about the dreaded disease, "amor deliria nervosa", or love. Not only does it cure romantic love, but it also removes complications from parent-child and sibling relationships too. People are indoctrinated from a young age as to the warning signs, symptoms and dangers of the deliria. Lena is especially eager, because her mother was immune to the cure and ended up throwing herself into the ocean when Lena was just a young girl. This has left a black mark on Lena and her family ever since. Lena is trying to enjoy her final summer before her cure with her best friend, Hana. They know that the friendship bond they have built over the years will also lose its magic, and while they may still be friendly, it will be much more clinical. Enter a stranger, a couple years older than the girls, who wears the mark of the cured. Events with him and Hana lead Lena to question everything she has been told over the years, and make her reconsider her eagerness for her cure. Oliver has spun a solid, dystopic yarn. While some of Lena's decisions seem rather sudden and unfounded, they drive the plot. Secondary characters are rather static, but in the case of the adults, that is just how life is after the cure. The ending leaves the reader eager for the next installment. An excellent choice for those looking for a good dystopic romance, or those looking to move on from paranormal romance. Gr. 8+...more

This was a really good story that could have been so much better with tighter writing and editing. Nonetheless, the story itself is strong enough to cThis was a really good story that could have been so much better with tighter writing and editing. Nonetheless, the story itself is strong enough to carry the reader. Day and June are the only two kids who have ever passed The Trial in the future Republic with perfect scores. June, from wealthy family, is called a prodigy and is coddled by the Republic establishment. Day, for reasons not explained except that he is from a poor family, is experimented on and left to die after his official scores have been altered. Day escapes from the morgue and lives on the streets committing bold acts of defiance against the Republic, though he chooses not to align himself with the Patriots who live in the Colonies and are at constant war with the Republic. Day has "adopted" Tess, an orphan, and the two of them scrounge for food, pull off sophisticated robberies, and keep watch over Day's family from a distance. Day's brother John is the only one who knows he is still alive. After a break-in at a hospital that develops plague medication, Day is chased by June's brother who is later found dead. June is pulled out of training and put on the case of finding her brother's killer. As she goes undercover, Day saves her from a fight, and they end up spending a few days together while she heals from an injury. During that time, she figures out that he is the infamous Day, and that he is the one who killed her brother. Despite their growing friendship, mutual admiration and budding romance, June's loyalty to the Republic puts her in a leading role in Day's capture. The story itself is riveting, but the writing can be awkward, and some things are explained with little other than coincidence. For example, Lu does a good job in introducing each character and telling what "class" they come from. Then she repeats over and over how June is wealthy and Day poor--we got that in the first two chapters, no need to repeat. Each character has an older brother who they are close to, but sometimes the characters motivation comes from thoughts the put into the brothers' heads, for example Day: "He's never said it aloud, but I think he blames himself for what happened to me." There are a couple such convenient assumed thoughts or dreams that help drive the plot, and therefore make it a little shaky. Day is the best and most fully-developed character, a rebel from start to finish. June's character undergoes some transformations that make her character more complex and interesting as the story unfolds, and other secondary characters support the main characters actions and development. Lu seems to have wanted to add a little steampunk feel to this novel, but the odd mentions of airships are just that, odd. They have no purpose to advance the plot, other than that Day blew up an airship, but he could have just as easily blown up an airplane or tank or building. The airship mentions were just weird. This is a story that, despite it's flaws, will certainly appeal to fans of the Hunger Games. It seems to be leaving room for a sequel, so hopefully Lu will be honing her writing skills and her editors will be more picky for the next installment. No doubt she is a good story-teller, just not a sophisticated writer yet. Gr. 6+...more

In this second installment in the series, Goldie has to go to the city of Spoke to try to save her friend Toadspit and his sister Bonnie. Goldie and TIn this second installment in the series, Goldie has to go to the city of Spoke to try to save her friend Toadspit and his sister Bonnie. Goldie and Toadspit had been on their way to the Museum of Dunt in the middle of the night, and Bonnie decided to follow them. When two strange men pass them, the kids don't pay much attention...until they realize that Bonnie is gone. Who are those men? And why did they take Bonnie? And where are they taking her? As the two try to help Bonnie, Toadspit is also abducted, and Goldie is on her own in a strange city. Things get even stranger when Goldie finds out that her arrival in Spoke coincides with the annual Festival of Lies when veryone is required to speak in lies. Goldie befriends two street "snotties", one who willingly helps her and the other who willingly sets her up. Tanner has done an outstanding job building the setting, so that the city itself--or at least its unusual festival--comes alive. Goldie is a sassy, smart heroine. Toadspit and Bonnie are well-developed characters. Adult characters are all stereotypical good guys or bad guys, but they play those roles so well to support the action and tension. Along with Museum of Thieves, and excellent choice for readers who loved the Huger Games, and also for those too young for Hunger Games, but ready for some high quality dystopic fiction. Grades 4-8(+)....more

Fever Crumb is back. After a few years on the road with a traveling theater, where her job has been lighting the shows and taking care of orphans RuanFever Crumb is back. After a few years on the road with a traveling theater, where her job has been lighting the shows and taking care of orphans Ruan and Fern, the troupe stops for some shows in Mayda at the World's End. Fever meets several interesting characters in Mayda, first Senhor Fat Yago, a fellow Londoner and Engineer Dr. Teal, and misfit Arlo Thursday. Arlo's family had been master shipbuilders before the Ragged Islands, just off the mainland, was wiped out by a tsunami. Arlo was the only one to survive, and as a boy he lived through a winter and almost a whole year with only the seagulls, or angles, as companions. He was later found and brought to Mayda to apprentice with a shipbuilder there, but he never really caught on to the family legacy. Instead, he decided to focus on trying to invent a way to fly, and lived as a recluse. When Fever meets Arlo, he is very close to finishing his flying machine, but he has news of others who had tried to fly and were systematically killed in what looked like a series of accidents. Fever's insatiable curiosity leads her to help Arlo try to complete his machine, despite all the forces that are trying to stop him. Reeve again has created an incredible world and made it seem completely plausible. Fever is a sympathetic character, though sometimes her rationality can be frustrating. However, it is that reasonable rationality that, besides her brilliance, that comes from her upbringing as an Engineer. There is much intrigue in this story, as well as excitement, murder, and romantic possibilities. A must read for all Fever Crumb fans! Gr. 5+...more

A satisfying ending to the Fever Crumb trilogy. Fever is back in London, but she travels north with her mother to try to find a legendary pyramid whicA satisfying ending to the Fever Crumb trilogy. Fever is back in London, but she travels north with her mother to try to find a legendary pyramid which may hold some Scriven secrets. However, as they pass through the territory of a northern tribal leader, they are abducted. Fever escapes, but she can not escape the memories of her grandfather, Auric Godshawk, who implanted a chip in her head when she was a baby. Fever meets another young woman who has had the same type of chip implanted, only she had no idea why she was having visions until Fever figured it out. Fever and this woman and her brother undertake an adventure to find the pyramid and see what secrets it holds. They are in danger from the Nightwights, as well as exposure and lack of provisions. Luckily, they are saved and return to the ranks of the northern nomads. They head back to London with some characters from a traveling show, and things come to a head when they meet up with the mobilized London. Fever is such a complex character, made more so in trying to balance her humanity with the rational behavior of an Engineer. The storyline, while on the surface completely unbelievable, sucks the reader in. Reeve is such a master of creating a place and atmosphere--and here we see London as well as Screvanastuut and the traveling, armored landbarges. It's truly remarkable. This is an excellent series for students grades 5+, and an excellent introduction to the genre of steampunk. However, they will make much more sense and be more satisfying when read in series order....more

I had students raving about this book, so when I had the chance to read it I had high expectations. Perhaps my expectations were too high, because I wI had students raving about this book, so when I had the chance to read it I had high expectations. Perhaps my expectations were too high, because I was rather disappointed. This is a story about a dystopic society where children are sorted into Wanted, Necessaries, and Unwanteds on their 13 birthdays. The Wanteds are favored, educated, and groomed to take the highest positions in society. The Necessaries are those who do the farming, fixing, and other essential tasks that keep a community running. The Unwanteds are, obviously, undesirable. They are labeled this because of infractions they have committed, usually something related to creativity--singing, drawing, dancing, etc. So, the Unwanteds are a pretty interesting group. The rest of the society thinks that they are killed, and that's what the kids believe on the way to the "Death Farm". They soon find out, however, that what awaits them is a sort of paradise where they can hone their artistic skills and their fighting skills at the same time. The must learn how to fight so that they can survive the inevitable war with the Wanteds. The premise of the story is interesting, especially to those young people who feel like they don't quite belong, those who identify with the Unwanteds. I found the implausible events not fully explained by "magic", and felt some things, like the "component vest", were never explained. The main characters did show some development, though some things were conveniently explained without much backing, and the magic seemed very contrived. I never quite believed the magic like I did in Harry Potter, which this book has been compared to. I felt like the magic was contrived and not well integrated into the story. (Why have all those magical creatures of unusual combinations without having any significance to them?) This is a story that many young people will find compelling and driven, and may be a good introduction to lead them to books like the Harry Potter and Percy Jackson series. Gr. 4+...more

Beatrice lives in a future Chicago, where the inhabitants have divided themselves in to 5 groups based on behavioral characteristics. When a person tuBeatrice lives in a future Chicago, where the inhabitants have divided themselves in to 5 groups based on behavioral characteristics. When a person turns 16, he or she may choose to leave the "faction" they were raised in for another. Beatrice chooses to leave her faction and becomes embroiled in a war between two of the factions. The faction Beatrice chooses to join is called Dauntless, for their bravery and brashness. The bulk of the novel follows "Tris", as she renames herself, through her initiation training. The Dauntless are warriors, so the training involves fighting, shooting, and violence; but she also develops some true friendships and even a romance. This book has been repeatedly referred to as "the next Hunger Games", and one can certainly see the similarities in some of the themes. But it is it's own story, and Roth has done a good job of building a future Chicago and the people who inhabit it. The main character, Beatrice, develops during the story, as does the initially enigmatic Four. Other characters support the storyline without much development. Overall a compelling story that is hard to put down, but not outstanding for it's writing. Some substance abuse, much gun and hand to hand combat violence. Grades 8+...more

In this dystopic romance/adventure, teens in the Society are "matched" to their predetermined partner at an elaborate ceremony. Generally, matches areIn this dystopic romance/adventure, teens in the Society are "matched" to their predetermined partner at an elaborate ceremony. Generally, matches are made between boys and girls from different districts, but oddly Cassie and Xander, who have been neighbors and best friends since childhood, are a match. When Cassie goes to view her microchip with information about Xander, she sees a fleeting image of another boy she knows. How did he get there? Why? Was it a mistake? A fluke? Cassie tries to figure this out without telling anyone what she saw. Much of the novel is spent examining the changing dynamics of the love triangle Cassie becomes a part of, as well as the motives and secrets of those in positions of power in the Society. Pacing sometimes drags, but the plot moves along while becoming more complicated. Cassie begins to question if the Society really is everything good that she's been taught. Convincing characters, a well-established dystopian society, and mounting questions lead one to look forward to reading the next in the series, even if Matched wasn't quite satisfying. Gr. 6+...more

This novel about a dystopic society stands out a bit from the pack, due to it's Mad Max like atmosphere which gives it an originality that is hard toThis novel about a dystopic society stands out a bit from the pack, due to it's Mad Max like atmosphere which gives it an originality that is hard to find in the overdone genre. The United States as we know it was destroyed just 9 years ago, by the Detonations. When this happened, a pre-selected, elite group of people escaped to "The Dome", where they live controlled lives in a controlled atmosphere. For everyone else, they've had to survive in a landscape devastated by the Detonations. Some of the descriptions of the landscape and the people are what really make this book stand out. Like I said, the description of the land reminds one of the Mad Max movies. The descriptions of the survivors outside the Dome--the wretches--are vivid and disturbing. Virtually every survivor was fused with something or someone due to the ferocity of the blasts. Pressia has a plastic doll's head fused to one of her hands. Bradwell has birds (still alive) fused into his back. Pressia's grandfather has a small plastic fan fused in his throat. El Capitain has his brother fused onto his upper back. Then there are the groupies, knots of people fused together. Buildings were destroyed partially or wholly, and there is a description of the "meltlands", so-called because of the melted plastic play-sets that were in each yard. Those who escaped to the Dome are whole, physically, some are even enhanced to make them smarter, faster, stronger...whatever is needed. Like all 16 year olds, Pressia is supposed to turn herself in on her birthday to either be trained as a soldier, or to be used as a live target for training. She tries to hide and avoid this, and while doing so meets Bradwell, a subversive rebel, and Partridge. Partridge Willex is a "Pure" who escaped from the Dome in order to search for his mother. They embark on a quest to find Partridge's mother, and along the way befriend El Capitain. As these characters go through the trials they face together, the reader sees the relationships and trust grow between them, and these in turn spur character development for each so that the main characters are well fleshed-out. The plot keeps that action going, and Baggott does an excellent job of developing the setting of the story (in the Baltimore/DC area) as well. The audiobook version which I listened to had several narrators, to help differentiate the characters. However, there were some chapters that had their ends chopped off. A good start to a projected trilogy, looking forward to seeing where these characters go next. Gr. 6+...more

The story that the author sets up takes a quick turn when, just a couple of pages in, the zombies arrive. Sloane is able to escape one horrible situatThe story that the author sets up takes a quick turn when, just a couple of pages in, the zombies arrive. Sloane is able to escape one horrible situation for another, hiding out from the zombies. She becomes part of a group of teens who hole up in their high school trying to figure out just what to do. They are cut off from most communications, their families are missing or dead, and...there are hungry zombies out there. Sloane has many demons she is dealing with, and the reader hears of those right away. The other teens she is holed up have their own demons and stories which are more slowly revealed during the story. The readers sees the relationships between the teens changing and the relationships, along with their stressful situation, changes the teens as well. There is much good zombie action, with details of how they turn, sense and feed. All in all, a good zombie story. Gr. 9+...more

Readers who liked The Hunger Games and the Divergent series, among other dystopian stories will find much to like here. A mysterious community that loReaders who liked The Hunger Games and the Divergent series, among other dystopian stories will find much to like here. A mysterious community that loses all males when they turn 18; an evil mastermind behind the "Heists"; deceit, fighting, romance. A solid addition to the dystopian pool. Gr. 7+...more

Thomas wakes up with no memory of his life when he arrives in the Box at the Glade. He is thrust into a community of adolescent boys who live in an enThomas wakes up with no memory of his life when he arrives in the Box at the Glade. He is thrust into a community of adolescent boys who live in an enclosed space and survive through a combination of hard work and the supplies that show up regularly in the Box. The Glade is surrounded by a giant maze, and the boys have been trying to solve the maze thinking that it will get them out and back to their "before" lives. Only no one remembers what life was like before. Thomas' arrival starts into play a strange sequence of events that lead to a compelling and frightening ending. Dashner creates a setting that comes alive in the story. The characters are well-developed and authentic. They have developed their own vernacular which is easily picked up by the reader as well as the new arrivals to the Glade. With a fast moving plot, the puzzle of the maze to figure out, and flashes of insanity, bravery, compassion and humor, this story keeps the pages turning and the reader eager for the next installment in the series. Some gore and violence. Gr. 6+ Cant't wait for the movie--I hope they did a good job with it!...more

The Scorch Trials is the continuation of the story The Maze Runner. Thomas and some of the boys from the Glade, the Gladers, are seemingly rescued. BuThe Scorch Trials is the continuation of the story The Maze Runner. Thomas and some of the boys from the Glade, the Gladers, are seemingly rescued. But, after a brief respite they quickly find out that their rescue was part of "the test" and that they still have many trials to overcome before they can relax. The writing is fine, the characters continue to grow, as do their connections to each other. On the surface the plot is linear--they must overcome obstacles to get to an end point. But the story is so disjointed. There are ups and down, cliffhangers and dull spots. Perhaps this is a technique used by Dashner to help the reader understand the unpredictable nature of the trials Thomas and the Gladers are going through, but it makes for a disjointed and jarring reading experience. This volume is much more graphic, with elements of horror. For that reason, while I would recommend The Maze Runner for grades and up, I'd say this is more appropriate for grades 7 and up. I was compelled by the story to read the whole book, and while I'm not really eager to start the third in the series, like Thomas I want to know just what is WICKED's motivation, and what is the full back story. ...more

So, after slogging through cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger in The Scorch Trials, I just had to find out who were the people behind the endless tortureSo, after slogging through cliff-hanger after cliff-hanger in The Scorch Trials, I just had to find out who were the people behind the endless torture of these teens. In The Death Cure, Thomas and his friends once again (and again, and again) face ridiculous obstacles and setbacks as they are trying to save the world. The story gets so bogged down in setback after setback that it is very frustrating for the reader. Nonetheless, the cliffhangers keep the pages turning; the reader wants to find out what is driving all this action. The characters are realistic, to their circumstances, and we see the characters and the relationships between them develop throughout the story. Dashner has created a story for tweens and teens who love horror, dystopia, and suspense, but he has perhaps created too much of a good thing. This reader, as well as many she has discussed the books with, was fed up half way through The Scorch Trials. But to Dashner's credit, he kept us reading to find out what the purpose for all this was. Gr. 6-9...more